Netflix excels with its gripping originals, insightful documentaries, and laugh-out-loud comedies—but most are in English. Limiting yourself to one language means missing global masterpieces. As avid viewers of international TV for over a decade, we've curated proven hits that deliver unmatched storytelling.
We've previously spotlighted standout foreign films, like our picks for the Top 10 Foreign Language Movies on Netflix and best time travel movies. Now, discover these top foreign-language series you need to stream on Netflix immediately.
IMDb: 8.9
If you're a Netflix subscriber unfamiliar with Narcos, prioritize it now. This gripping dramatization of Pablo Escobar's 1970s Colombian cocaine empire stands among Netflix's finest tales. Intense yet character-driven, its intricate plots blend seamlessly with real archival footage, earning Golden Globe nods and rare depth.
Watch Narcos on Netflix
IMDb: 8.8
Don't dismiss Money Heist (originally La Casa de Papel) by its title. This Spanish gem tracks eight expert thieves infiltrating Spain's Royal Mint under the enigmatic Professor. Redefining heist tropes, it boasts sharp writing, rich characters, and relentless twists that draw empathy for cops, robbers, and hostages alike.
Watch Money Heist on Netflix
IMDb: 8.7
Netflix's first German original, Dark, proves time travel can still astonish. In Winden, child disappearances echo events from 33 years prior. A police investigation unravels secrets, shattering trust in this masterful slow-burn mystery.
Watch Dark on Netflix
IMDb: 8.5
The priciest non-English drama ever, Babylon Berlin outshines Downton Abbey and Boardwalk Empire with lavish 1920s Weimar Germany detail. Blending romance, vice, crime, and politics on the eve of the Third Reich, it immerses you in beauty and brutality.
Watch Babylon Berlin on Netflix
IMDb: 8.4
No high-stakes drama here—just pure joy. This Japanese delight follows a retiree rediscovering food's magic through context, emotion, and nostalgia. Effortlessly charming and uplifting.
Watch Samurai Gourmet on Netflix
IMDb: 8.4
This Israeli thriller ramps up from steady pacing to pulse-pounding action like 24 or Strike Back. An elite IDF operative returns from retirement to hunt a presumed-dead terrorist, offering a fresh Middle Eastern lens on high-stakes tension.
Watch Fauda on Netflix
IMDb: 8.2
Belgium's top psychological thriller: An amnesiac woman holds the key to a missing child case, but recovering her memories unleashes chaos. Slow-building suspense with earned twists rewards patient viewers.
Watch Tabula Rasa on Netflix
IMDb: 7.7
The list's sole comedy, this French one-season gem parodies espionage in post-WWII France. A novice agent's training amid global shifts turns serious history into hilarious absurdity—think James Bond meets The Office. Fresh relief from tired tropes.
Watch A Very Secret Service on Netflix
IMDb: 7.6
Brazil's dystopian sci-fi divides society into affluent Offshore and desperate Inland. Annual tests let 20-year-olds vie for crossover—only 3% succeed. Echoing Hunger Games, it tackles profound themes with mature depth.
Watch 3% on Netflix
IMDb: 7.6
Australia's standout miniseries: Seven intact 'corpses' rise memory-less in a small town, deaths spanning decades with no links. Sidestepping zombie clichés, it prioritizes mystery and human bonds for escalating intrigue.
Watch Glitch on Netflix
Tired of repetitive content? Netflix leads in bold experimentation. Explore 12 Best BBC Shows on Netflix every American should see, 8 Top Nordic Dramas on Netflix and Amazon Prime, or the quirky Slow TV phenomenon for truly unique viewing.
